Faye Marsay: A Countdown of Her Top 10 Films and TV Series

Article Overview

Faye Marsay's versatility and ability to disappear into roles establishes her as a bona fide talent in the entertainment industry.

Marsay's performances in popular franchises such as Game of Thrones and Star Wars have left a significant mark on pop culture, even if she may not be the focal point. Her portrayal of The Waif in Game of Thrones particularly stands out as her most notable role, highlighting her abilities to convincingly embody a merciless and unlikable character.

English actress Faye Marsay, although not widely recognized, has showcased her skills in notable roles across various popular franchises. Starting her career in the early 2010s, Marsay has established herself as a dependable supporting actress, honing her craft without stealing the spotlight. As her career has progressed, Marsay has landed significant roles in major franchises like Star Wars and Doctor Who. However, her performance in Game of Thrones stands as her most prominent contribution to popular culture thus far.

Similar to her emerging peers, Marsay's greatest strength lies in her versatility, effortlessly embodying a wide range of believable characters. In the vast ensemble cast of Game of Thrones and her other substantial projects, Marsay stands out not for dominating the scene, but for her ability to bring her characters to life with captivating realism. While she has predominantly played important supporting roles, Marsay has recently earned leading roles in television series and films. Although not yet a star, Marsay's talent for disappearing into her characters establishes her as a genuine force to be reckoned with.

10. McMafia (2018)

Faye Marsay as Katya Godman

mcmafia

Release Date: January 1, 2018

Cast: James Norton, Merab Ninidze, Juliet Rylance

Seasons: 1

Despite Faye Marsay's impressive appearance in various successful shows, she also appeared in a few series that didn't gain much traction, like the short-lived McMafia. The show revolves around Alex Godson (played by James Norton), a Russian ex-pat and former mafia member, who attempts to escape his family ties and build a new life. Marsay's portrayal of Katya, Alex's antagonistic sister, was a remarkable choice and perfectly embodied the life he wanted to leave behind. Regrettably, the show failed to generate significant interest during its airing on AMC and was canceled after just one disappointingly brief season.

Stream On AMC+

9. Ten Pound Poms (2023-Present)

Faye Marsay as Annie Roberts

Faye Marsay, a renowned English actress, has garnered considerable experience working on numerous BBC period dramas in her home country. Among her remarkable repertoire is her notable performance in the 2023 series called Ten Pound Poms. This compelling show vividly portrays the mass migration of English citizens to Australia during the mid-20th century in pursuit of a better life Down Under. Playing the role of Annie Roberts, Marsay showcases her exceptional talent by skillfully portraying an exasperated housewife. The series has garnered positive critical acclaim, as evidenced by its favorable reception on Rotten Tomatoes. This could potentially serve as Marsay's breakthrough opportunity, paving the way for her to secure a long-term starring role.

Ten Pound Poms is currently not available to stream

8. The Bletchley Circle (2012-2014)

Faye Marsay as Lizzie Lancaster

Joining a show midway through its run can be quite challenging, but Faye Marsay is no stranger to stepping into a story and making her mark. In The Bletchley Circle, set in post-WWII England, Marsay portrayed Lizzie Lancaster, a minor supporting character. Despite having limited screen time, she held her own alongside the established stars of the show. Often compared to the likes of Murder She Wrote, The Bletchley Circle revamped the cozy mystery genre and captivated audiences throughout its unfortunately short duration.

Stream On Peacock

7. Fresh Meat (2011-2016)

Faye Marsay as Candice Pelling

Fresh Meat

Fresh Meat, a cult classic college dramedy with a British twist, made its debut on September 21, 2011. The talented cast, including Zawe Ashton, Kimberley Nixon, Jack Whitehall, and Joe Thomas, entertained viewers for a total of four seasons. Among the standout performers was Faye Marsay, who portrayed the character of Candice Pelling during the show's third season. Marsay's portrayal showcased her versatile acting range, seamlessly transitioning between humor and drama. Although Marsay had previously landed significant roles, her portrayal of the gifted literature student in Fresh Meat brought her widespread recognition early in her career.

Stream On Amazon Prime Video

6. The White Queen (2013)

Faye Marsay as Lady Anne Neville

The White Queen

Release Date June 16, 2016Cast Aneurin Barnard, Rebecca Ferguson, Max Irons, Amanda HaleSeasons 1

The White Queen, the first installment in a highly acclaimed trilogy of miniseries, marked a breakthrough for Faye Marsay. Despite being relatively new to the industry, Marsay's performance showed seasoned skill. The miniseries portrays the manipulation of historical events by three women during England's violent War of the Roses. Although not entirely historically accurate, The White Queen captivated viewers with its compelling storyline, thanks in large part to the impressive acting of Rebecca Ferguson and Marsay. In her role as Lady Anne Neville, Marsay portrayed a ruthless and cunning character, stealing the spotlight in almost every scene. Although overshadowed by its successors, The White Queen still held its own powerfully. Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.

5. Doctor Who (2005-Present)

Faye Marsay as Shona

Doctor Who

Release Date November 23, 1963Cast Jenna Coleman, Jodie Whittaker, Alex Kingston, David Tennant, Matt Smith, Peter CapaldiGenres Adventure, Mystery, Sci-FiSeasons 26Network BBC

Faye Marsay's early acting career mainly consisted of recurring roles on TV series. However, her brief appearance on Doctor Who stands out as a memorable experience. In this science fiction reboot series, the Time Lord travels through space and time, encountering new adventures with his companions. Marsay played the character of Shona in the Doctor Who Christmas episode "Last Christmas" in 2014. Although her role was limited, she managed to create a strong chemistry with The Doctor (Peter Capaldi), making her presence in the Whoniverse truly unforgettable. Now available to stream on Max.

4. Black Mirror (2011-Present)

Faye Marsay as Blue Coulson

Black Mirror

Release Date December 4, 2011Cast Bryce Dallas Howard, Hayley Atwell, Anthony MackieGenres Anthology, Drama, Science Fiction, ThrillerSeasons 5

The sci-fi anthology series Black Mirror has showcased numerous renowned actors in individual episodes. However, a young Faye Marsay also had the opportunity to make her mark on the long-standing show. In the episode titled "Hated in the Nation," a detective investigates a series of murders connected to social media. Marsay portrays the tech-savvy companion named Blue Coulson, who utilizes her technological expertise to assist in solving the case. With influences from Nordic Noir, this somewhat melancholic episode exemplifies Black Mirror's critical stance on technology. While it may be lesser-known among the early episodes, "Hated in the Nation" is available for streaming on Netflix.

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3. Pride (2014)

Faye Marsay as Steph Chambers

Pride

Faye Marsay has delivered memorable performances primarily in TV shows, but her role in the film Pride demonstrated her suitability for the big screen. Set in the 1980s, Pride depicts a group of LGBTQ+ activists supporting mine workers during a lengthy strike for improved working conditions. Marsay's character, Steph, stands out as the only lesbian in the group, emphasized by her vibrant red hair and dynamic personality. Despite not being an outstanding success, Pride holds a special place among the numerous uplifting LGBTQ+ films released in recent times.

Watch Pride on Showtime.

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2. Andor (2022-Present)

Faye Marsay as Vel Sartha

Andor is set to premiere on September 21, 2022. The cast includes Genevieve O'Reilly, Adria Arjona, Diego Luna, Kyle Soller, Alan Tudyk, Stellan Skarsgård, Denise Gough, and Forrest Whitaker. The show falls within the genres of adventure, drama, action, and sci-fi, with a TV-14 rating. It will have one season.

Faye Marsay made a significant impact on yet another franchise, starring in the Star Wars series Andor. Taking place before the events of Rogue One, Andor tracks the journey of the main character as he climbs the ranks of the Rebel Alliance. Marsay effortlessly embraced her role as the tough Vel Sartha, convincingly portraying a Rebel leader. The show received high acclaim and even garnered multiple Emmy Award nominations. Despite the expansive Star Wars universe filled with countless stars, Faye Marsay proved to be a valuable addition to the beloved science fiction saga.

Watch on Disney+

1. Game of Thrones (2011-2019)

Faye Marsay as The Waif

Game Of Thrones

Release Date: April 11, 2011

Cast: Emilia Clarke, Lena Headey, Richard Madden, Michelle Fairley, Kit Harington, Maisie Williams, Alfie Allen, Peter Dinklage

Genres: Drama, Action, Adventure

Seasons: 8

Faye Marsay's portrayal of The Waif in Game of Thrones is likely to be her most significant contribution to pop culture. Set in the kingdom of Westeros, the series revolves around the political conflicts as different nations compete for the Iron Throne. Marsay joined the show in seasons 5 and 6 as the enigmatic assassin and mentor to Arya Stark (Maisie Williams) in the ways of the Faceless Men. Marsay's performance as the unlikable tormentor was exceptional, and she perfectly embodied the role of a neutral antagonist. In a series known for its complex characters, Faye Marsay made the most of her character and delivered a standout performance.

Stream On Max

Editor's P/S

As a fan of Faye Marsay, I am excited to see her career continue to grow. She is a talented actress who has the ability to disappear into her roles. I am particularly impressed by her performances in Game of Thrones, Doctor Who, and Black Mirror. I think she has the potential to be a major star in the future.

I am also interested in seeing Marsay take on more leading roles. She has shown that she can carry a film or television show, and I think she would be great in a role where she can really shine. I am looking forward to seeing what she does next.